NHL Rumors VIII: Jokinen, Canadiens, Penguins and Blackhawks

Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press: As of yesterday, the Jets and pending UFA Olli Jokinen have had limited contact. Should expect the Jets payroll next year to be around $65 million. The Jets could take the $3 million or so it may have used on Jokinen, invest it elsewhere, and potentially have a spot open for prospect Adam Lowry if he’s ready. Issues remains that if you do that and he’s not ready, you now have a hole at the third line.

Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: When P.K. Subban’s gets his new contract, it will eat of most of their remaining cap space. Brian Gionta wants to return, but how much of pay cut will he take and is he fine with a one-year deal? Lars Ellar could take a short-term deal and a raise from his $1.5 million. Mike Weaver could serve as an insurance policy behind youngsters Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinordi. Now that Andrei Markov is back, don’t expect any big moves from the free agent market. Peter Budaj could be traded. At the draft, they could focus on size, especially up front, and character players with potential.